Charles Guiteau was the kind of guy who gives lawyers a bad name. Some folks question whether he ever successfully completed his law degree. His specialty was small claims - for which he charged a 75% contingency fee. In today's world, such outrageous fees would likely result in disbarment.

Not being very good at what he did, Guiteau drifted around. There is pretty good evidence he was deranged for quite some time before he joined the campaign of Republican candidate, James Garfield.

After Garfield won the 1880 election, Guiteau concocted the perfect job for himself. He wanted to work in the U.S. Consulate Office in Paris. Believing he had much more intelligence and ability than he really had, Guiteau thought he could just name a job and it would be his. When things didn't turn out the way he wanted, he blamed the President.

In July of 1880, he bought a revolver for $15 and began to stalk the President. He even checked out the jail where he would likely spend time - if his shots were successful - to make sure it was suitable for him. He proceeded with his plan, and followed Garfield to the Washington train station on July 2, 1881. The President was planning to take the train to Massachusetts for a meeting at his alma mater.

Approaching the President from behind, Guiteau fired a shot into Garfield's back. Lucretia ("Crete") Rudolph Garfield, the First Lady, was not with the President at the train station. She was at a resort in New Jersey, recovering from a serious bout of malaria. Gravely injured, Garfield was taken back to the White House. Frail and in poor health, Mrs. Garfield returned to help care for her husband.